The Olive Branch - Olive Branch Christian Church

The Olive Branch
APRIL 2015
Olive Branch Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
Richard D. Cline, minister
Pat Dressler, secretary
757-566-8077 (Church Office)
Web Address: www.ob-cc.org
Office Email Address: [email protected]
Let’s Do It Again!
As I write this article, Holy Week has just
started, with the special services of Maundy
Thursday and Good Friday yet to take place.
Easter Sunday, with its three services, looms before
us. Much planning and effort will go into the
services of Holy Week. Our bell choir started Holy
Week with their joyous sounds; a start that will be
built upon by our choir, Josh’s portrayal of Jesus,
the 24 hour prayer vigil, the fellowship of believers
sharing communion together on Maundy
Thursday, the passion narrative of Good Friday,
gathering around the cross at Sunrise joined by
Andy’s dulcimer notes, being served a sunrise
breakfast by our men, and lifting our voices as one
on Easter Sunday! How blessed we are in God’s
church!
I like to think that one important
contributing factor to this year’s Holy Week
services is the journey we as a community made
during Lent. This year’s Lent was particularly
meaningful, as six area churches of different
denominations pledged to give witness to the unity
of the body of Christ by worshipping together.
Each Wednesday we met in a different church,
worshipping in the tradition of that congregation,
singing in unison, praying as one, hearing the
Word proclaimed, and breaking bread together at
the Lord’s Table. What a witness to the ecumenical
spirit which frames our Disciple tradition! Thank
you for your strong participation in these services!
Olive Branch made up the majority of those in
attendance at every service. Many of you have
already asked, ‘are we going to do it again?’
I hope so. For as Disciples we know that we
are not the only Christians – but Christians only.
May the unity of Lent find full expression in our
common confession of Easter: “Jesus Christ who
once was dead, now lives!” That is good news that
all need to hear.
Blessings,
Pastor Richard
Schedule of Worship for Holy Week
April 2: Maundy Thursday Worship at 7:00 p.m.
(New Fellowship Hall)
April 2: Prayer Vigil at 8:00 p.m. continuous
through April 3, 7:00 p.m.
April 3: Good Friday Worship at 7:00 p.m.
April 5: Easter Sunday
 Sunrise Worship at 6:30 a.m. (outside
sanctuary facing Richmond Road),
followed by breakfast provided by the
Disciples Men (New Fellowship Hall)
 Regular Worship at 8:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
 Sunday School at 9:45 a.m.
Easter Generates a Prompting Culture
Melissa Wiginton describes the major traits of churches
that are successful at being a calling culture.
1. A place where something is at stake. Calling
Churches are doing more than busywork; they
are engaging a large number of people in lifechanging ministry and generating programs and
facilities to support their ministries. Their
members are passionate about their church and
its mission. They invest in youth and children's
ministry that is more than fun and games.
2. A church that is a seat of resistance. Calling
Churches consistently sound a counter-cultural
message about what matters most. They hold up
a vision of being active in the Kingdom of God
that stands in opposition to much of what 21st
Century American culture says is important.
3. A church that is a site of interpretation. Calling
Churches regularly tell stories of how God is at
work in the lives of their people. They read and
tell the stories of the Bible. They name people's
gifts and encourage them to use them and their
passion under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
4. A church that provides a "good enough" home.
Calling Churches recognize that perfection is not
possible or necessary. They create a culture that
challenges people internally (spiritual life) and
externally (spiritual habits). They are committed
to quality, but not perfectionism. They
foster inter-generational relationship & regularly
"apprenticize" their young people.
Easter is a season to follow Jesus into a new way of
living personally and of serving God as His people in
this community. In this season, let’s begin again,
together, to live in Christ and to serve Him as His people
at Olive Branch.
Take care,
Fred
The following scriptures will be used during the
Sunday worship services in April. The underlined
passages are the primary passages for Pastor Richard’s
sermons.
April 5
April 12
April 19
April 16
John 20:1-18; Acts 10:34-43
Acts 4:32-35; Psalm 133
Psalm 4; 1 John 3:1-7
John 10:11-18; Psalm 23
Update from the
Program Planning Team Advocates
“The Necessity of Evangelism”
How many times have you heard or said,
"Practice makes perfect"? Whatever we engage in, it
seems that practice is required. Our children played
summer league softball. Larry worked with each of
them on catching fly balls, picking up grounders, and
throwing to get out base runners. Eventually, they
became quite good at the game.
Clarinet playing required lots of practice on their
parts, lots of patience on ours as the wrong notes turned
into recognizable tunes—eventually! Anything worth
doing requires practice if we are to become proficient at
it. Remember Landa Simmon's Children's Sermon
recently about David the shepherd boy who spent hours
perfecting his use of the sling shot in order to protect his
sheep? Grown men with much armor feared the giant
and ran away, but one shot, well-placed on David's part,
felled the enemy fatally.
So it is with our faith. While we will never be
perfect ourselves, we practice our faith to prove that we
are persevering in our desire to be more like Jesus, the
perfect One who laid down His life that we might have
life in abundance. We follow the leading of One who
was perfect in order to reach out to those who are outside
of the faith, that they might come into a saving
relationship with Him. As we study scripture to learn
His teachings, as we engage in prayer that we might
grow in our relationship to Him, and as we fellowship
together with other Christians who encourage us, we
perfect our understanding of just who God is and what
plan He has for our lives. Jesus instructed us to "Go and
tell" and how can we do that if we do not know the
message we are to give? Practice, practice, practice, that
we might perfect the message of God's love, shown to us
by the death, burial, and resurrection of the Perfect Lamb
of God. There are lost sheep outside our "pasture". Will
we be the ones to show them how to defeat their enemy?
Will we be like David with a well-placed "shot" of the
Gospel into their hearts? Let us hone our skills with
much practice in order that we might reach some for the
cause of Christ, who laid down His life for them.
I love you, in Jesus' name,
Louise Smith
PPT Evangelism Advocate
Our Food Sharing Baskets
An Example of Resurrection Living
A very essential part of the Easter message
is not that we are to live new after our death, but
we are new here and now, by the power of the
resurrection.
Our new and improved self is
manifest in our kindness, compassion, and our
obedience to Jesus’ loving command to feed the
hungry. God’s word is clear and outlines how we,
living resurrected lives, make it possible for God’s
will to be done on earth for those who are in need
of food. God commands us to provide for the
needy for our own spiritual benefit, first and
foremost. It is a spiritual investment and our desire
to live the resurrected life. Our food sharing
program is a practical and intentional way of
becoming more like Christ.
“He who has a generous eye will be blessed
for he gives his bread to the poor.” (Proverbs 22:9)
There are numerous, loving examples of
resurrection living in the Olive Branch Community
of Faith. We are so blessed by our church
leadership and members who make a difference in
our lives. Our OBCC Food Sharing Program is one
example of our Resurrection Living Testimony:
“He has risen in deed, He has risen in me.”
When we place our food donations in the
baskets, think about the healthy calories you are
placing in the baskets, and God wants us to enjoy
the spiritual calories, too!
Here’s to Resurrection Living!
Jane & Will Hatcher
When I had control, I knew the way.
It was rather boring, but predictable . . .
It was the shortest distance between two points.
Notes from the Wild Side…!
Well, our yard/bake sale was a success!! We
raised just over $900.00. Thank you to everyone
that helped setting up, working, and baking; we
could not have done it without your help. After our
hard work, we had some bonding time in the Outer
Banks. Bryant, Kylie, Curtis, and Lauren had some
great times connecting as friends. Make sure you
ask them about the trip. We were in contact with
Kayla by phone; she was unable to attend due to
play practice.
Backstage Productions will be performing “God
Spell” on Friday, May 1st at 7:00 p.m. Please come
out to support Naomi and the performers. They do
such a great job.
We will meet on the 19th of April.
Hope everyone has a Blessed Easter.
Abby Matschke
The Road of Life
At first, I saw God as my observer,
my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong,
so as to know whether I merited heaven
or hell when I die.
He was out there sort of like a president.
I recognized His picture when I saw it,
but I really didn't know Him.
But later on when I met Christ,
it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride,
but it was a tandem bike,
and I noticed that Christ
was in the back helping me pedal.
I don't know just when it was
that He suggested we change places,
but life has not been the same since.
But when He took the lead,
He knew delightful long cuts,
up mountains, and through rocky places
at breakneck speeds,
it was all I could do to hang on!
Even though it looked like madness,
He said, "Pedal!"
I worried and was anxious and asked,
"Where are you taking me?"
He laughed and didn't answer,
and I started to learn to trust.
I forgot my boring life
and entered into the adventure.
And when I'd say, "I'm scared,"
He'd lean back and touch my hand.
He took me to people with gifts that I needed,
gifts of healing, acceptance and joy.
They gave me gifts to take on my journey,
my Lord's and mine.
And we were off again.
He said, "Give the gifts away;
they're extra baggage, too much weight."
So I did, to the people we met,
and I found that in giving I received,
and still our burden was light.
I did not trust Him, at first,
in control of my life.
I thought He'd wreck it;
but He knows bike secrets,
knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners,
knows how to jump to clear high rocks,
knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.
And I am learning to shut up
and pedal in the strangest places,
and I'm beginning to enjoy the view
and the cool breeze on my face
with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.
And when I'm sure I just can't do anymore,
He just smiles and says . . . "Pedal."
-- author unknown
Copied from Holy Sweat by Tim Hansel (which by the way
is an excellent book).
Sharon Sun Eagle, Marney Brickhouse,
Elizabeth Ameling, and Elaine Henk
What a wonderful turn out for our first
Spring Brunch on Saturday, March 21st. Hopefully,
all who were there left with a renewed feeling of
the kindness, caring, and multiple opportunities for
sharing the talents that our Lord gives each and
every one of us. My thanks to all who came. As
usual the food was delicious and plentiful. Carole
Kerr brought most of us to tears with the beautiful
reading that touched her heart, and I believe it is in
the newsletter this month. Elizabeth Ameling, who
started the Latisha House for the victims of
trafficking, impressed us with her passion in
pursuing her dream of helping others. It is my
prayer that others will share her dream and be of
service. For more information please go online to
"Latisha's House" or contact Irma Gustafson, as this
cause is dear to her. Sharon Sun Eagle also shared
her dream of helping her people on the Mattaponi
Indian Reservation. Her journey has blossomed
from helping a few, to Christmas presents, Easter
baskets, and back to school supplies for 150
children. Most of us at Olive Branch know about
Elaine Henk’s "Interlude"; another dream that
became a reality due to her love, faith, and
perseverance. Do you have a dream? Is there
something that has touched your heart?
Opportunities are all around us and the love of the
Lord creates many paths. Take a moment. Listen
to your heart.
Vickie Anderson donated a beautiful afghan
that was made by Nancy Bradshaw for our Fall
Luncheon/Fashion show, and Karen Barrow is
going to put together a quilt made up from squares
done by the ladies here at Olive Branch. Anyone
interested in making a square may give me a call
for more information (757-880-2545). Raffle tickets
for both items are $1.00 a piece and the drawing
will be at the show on November 14th.
Just a reminder that the Disciple
Women/CWF Women's Regional Retreat will be
June 5-7. I have registration forms and encourage
those who are looking for a wonderful, spiritually
fulfilling weekend to sign up. It will be held in
Lynchburg, VA and we will be carpooling to make
it easier for all. Kay Ainsworth is the co-chairman
for this event so you know it will be great.
Again my thanks to all of my OBCC sisters
who give me their time, help, and faithful prayers
to make my dream of serving the Lord possible.
May God Bless You Always.
Marney Brickhouse
CWF President
(H): 757-229-1423; (C): 757-880-2545
01
02
06
08
11
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15
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19
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24
25
26
30
Jeanne Bell, Derrick Trexler
Jonathan Griffin
Larry Smith
Judy Wanner
Ann Bradshaw
Betty Barber
Conner Martin
Don Morse, Nancy Sheppard,
Louise Smith
Chuck Sheppard
John Speegle
Marney Brickhouse
Brett Matschke
Kathy Kirby
Donna Perger
Jack Heslink
Tyler Hutton, Maggie Sheppard
Jeryl Dieleman, Christy Jensen
05
07
17
Chuck & Beverly Walker
Richard & Christina Jones
Harold & Patty Barker
The Olive Branch
SERVING IN APRIL
Elders
April 5
April 12
April 19
April 26
Ralph Hutton, Marney Brickhouse
Doug Dill, Sheila Yeatts
Judy Eley, Donna Perger
Bob Key, Gail Key
Deacons
April 5
April 12
April 19
April 26
Linda Garrett, Maralyn Carr,
Val Mason, Jane Vaught
Richard Jones, Christina Jones,
Skip Jensen, Kylie Rutherford
Abby Matschke, Edie Larkin,
Cleve Wright, Michelle Wright
Hunter Gardner, Josh Fulgham,
Arnold Cooper, Denise Cooper
Deaconess
Emily Dill
Church Family: Kay Ainsworth, Becky Allred,
Pat Allred, Michael Ayers, Judy Biggs, Priscilla
Bingham, Duie Brantley, Maralyn Carr, David
Duke, Janet Fletcher, Phyllis Gardner, Donna
Garrett, Nola Graves, Jesse Hall, Ruby Jones, Lena
Jeffries, Bob Lawrence, Naomi Marrow, Paulette
Moyce, Susan Pruitt, Ellen Sullivan, Mary Ruth
Thorpe, Russell Waid, Sarah Waid, and Virginia
Dare Waltrip.
Family and Friends: The women and men of our
Armed Forces, David Ameling, Michael and Betty
Boley (Cleve Wright's brother-in-law), Dixie Camp
(Gene & Cheryl Johnson’s friend), Cathy Castle,
(Roy and Ellen Sullivan's friend), Betty Darling
(Gertie Duke’s sister), Steve Dressler (Pat Dressler’s
son), Katie Graves, Ronald Hawthorne (Pat
Dressler’s brother), Jeff Hoyle (Margie Dieleman’s
brother-in-law), Marian Hughes (Norm Larkin’s
sister), Barbara Kendrick (Cheryl Johnson’s sister),
Billy Martin, Mark McGee, Ronnie Mess (Christina
Jones’ uncle), Anne Nigh (Dana Rothermel’s
cousin), Linda Patten (Keeta Hodson’s friend),
Linda Paturtel, Trevor Smith and his family (Larry
& Louise Smith’s grandson), Jane and Hobart
Speegle, C.R. Sullivan (Roy and Ellen Sullivan's
son), Elaine Vogel (Taylor Cline’s aunt), Linwood
Waltrip (Ruby Jones’ son-in-law), Brenda Wright,
and Julia and her family.
(Underlined, bold print indicates new person on the Prayer
List.)
NOTE: To add or remove a person’s name from the Prayer
List, please contact the church office: 757-566-8077.
April 5
April 12
April 19
April 26
Harold & Nancy McKeel
Maralyn Carr
Marney Brickhouse
Curt Howard
Sunday pancake & bingo brunch … March 8, 2015
Abby Matschke, Doug Haulsee, Sheila Yeatts, Norm
Harbour, Missy Harbour, Emily Dill, Ann Cline and
Doug Dill
Olive Branch frontal scene at Easter, featuring draped
cross and Judas bags.
Emilio Pesante’s Jubilee Chorus at OBCC – March 10,
2015
Easter sunrise over Olive Branch Cemetery.
All above photos are by Irma Gustafson.
Money Changers in the Yard Sale Temple, Bryant
Walker & Curtis Morse – March 14, 2015
NEWS FLASH! Our own Steve Hall has released
his first commercial CD, entitled STEVE HALL
Song for Petra, ISBN 0 88295 22995, dedicated, of
course, to his sweet wife, Petra. The 12 selections
contained therein range from a sampling of various
genres, some of which are familiar, and a few
original compositions. An added heretofore
unknown treat is Steve singing. Who would have
thought that “our man with the magic keyboard
fingers” could also sing! He will probably tell you
that you may purchase this CD online or through
your favorite bookstore, or even from any supply
he may currently have on hand.
with every gift we receive from generous people like
you.
We promise to continue doing the most good
with your contributions.
God Bless You.
Sincerely,
Roger Hasty
Captain Roger Hasty
Corps Officer
February 25, 2015
March 10, 2014
Dear Pastor Cline,
On behalf of the Olde Towne Medical & Dental
Center, our patients, staff and volunteers, I take this
opportunity to thank the members of Olive Branch
Christian Church for their generous gift of $600. This
gift will assist us in providing health and dental care to
uninsured and underinsured residents living and
working in the City of Williamasburg, James City and
York Counties, During the last fiscal year, we provided
more than 19,300 visits to close to 5,000 patients.
Additionally, we filled 4,800 prescriptions for our
patients.
Again, thank you for supporting our mission of
providing healthcare to those in need.
Sincerely,
Williams J. Mann, Jr., M.D.
Executive Medical Director
February 22, 2015
Dear Olive Branch Christian Church,
Thank you for your donation of $600.00 to The
Salvation Army of Greater Williamsburg.
Your support of The Salvation Army is greatly
appreciated. Even though the holidays are over we are
still hard at work – bringing help and hope to needy
men, women and children in our community.
As long as there are huring souls in
Williamsburg, The Salvation Army will not rest. It is
our passion. We are committed to doing the most good
Dear Friends of FISH,
On behalf of the many FISH volunteers and
those we serve, I wish to express our gratitude to you
and your members for your generous contribution to
FISH. The Williamsburg area churches continue to
provide a large portion of our financial support and
many of our volunteers, all who serve without financial
compensation. Without that support, our work would
not be possible.
Your gift will greatly assist FISH in providing
emergency food and clothing to those in need within
our community. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
F. B. Kueser, Treasurer
February 24, 2015
To the members of Olive Branch Christian Church,
On behalf of the St. Olaf Food Pantry Ministry I
wanted to express my heartfelt appreciation for your
generous donation of $700.00.
Your gift will allow us to provide food to those
less fortunate and hopefully offer necessary support to
those unable to feed themselves. May God bless you for
your thoughtfullness.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Thomas E. Mattingly
Pastor, St. Olaf Catholic Church
Dear Partner in Ministry
We enter the month of March with heavy hearts
as the Lord has seen fit to bring our Founder—Dr. Bill
Simmer—home to glory. Yet our sense of loss is not
without hope—for we know that Bill immediately
departed this life to enter into the joyful presence of
Christ which is “far better” (Phil. 1:23). We rejoice that
the Lord has seen fit to continue the legacy of Dr.
Simmer through the ministry of chaplains all around
the world. And we are grateful for your partnership
with us as we seek to reach millions behind bars who
need the Savior. Thank you for your recent gift of
$300.00. Every day we praise the Lord for providing for
this ministry through faithful partners like you.
God Bless,
Jon Evans, President
Good News Jail & Prison Ministry
Surprise! It's Empty!
Jesus Is Alive !
Early in the morning, on the Sunday
after Jesus was crucified, two women (Mary
and Mary Magdalene) went to the grave where
Jesus had been buried. As they were just
about at the tomb the earth suddenly shook
and an angel came down from heaven, and
rolled away the stone at the entrance of the
tomb. The women looked at each other and
rubbed their eyes, they couldn't believe what
they had seen, because it was very early in the
morning, and they were still a little sleepy.
The angel was so bright, almost as bright as
lightning. His clothes were as white as snow.
They were surprised to find an empty grave
and wondered what had happened to Jesus.
While they were wondering about this,
suddenly, two angels in dazzling bright clothes
appeared to the two women. Now they were
not only surprised -- they were also afraid. The
angels spoke to the women and said, "Why are
you looking for the living among the dead?
Jesus is not here, he has risen just as he told
you he would." Come and see for yourself, the
tomb is empty."
When the women heard these words,
they remembered that Jesus had told them
that he would be crucified, but that he would
rise again on the third day. Now they were no
longer surprised at finding an empty grave.
Then the angel spoke again, "If you want to
find Jesus He's on his way to Galilee."
So the women hurried away, to tell his
disciples and everyone else what they had
seen. They didn't know what to feel, they had
been so sad that Jesus was dead and now they
were so excited He was alive! They just knew
they had to find Jesus, and they had to tell the
disciples the good news.
As they were running down the path
they turned a corner, and there was Jesus.
"Greetings," He said. The ladies fell at His feet
and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them,
"Do not be afraid. Go and tell my disciples to
come to Galilee, that is where they will see
me."
The disciples came to Galilee, and had
heard by this time that Jesus was alive. They
were sitting around talking about it, when
Jesus walked into the room and said to them,
"Peace be with you." The disciples immediately
stopped talking. Even though they had heard
He was alive, they were shocked to see Him
standing there with them.
Jesus said to them, "Why do you look at
me like you've just seen a ghost? Why don't
you believe what you're seeing? Look at the
scars in my hands and feet. It is really me!
Touch me and see; I am not a ghost but a real
person."
The disciples’ mouths were open in
amazement because they still didn't know what
to think. They were so full of joy, and yet it
was so impossible. Jesus understood what
they were thinking, so He said, "This is what I
told you would happen, that everything must
happen that has already been written in the
Bible."
The best reason we have to be happy
today is that the grave is empty, Jesus is alive,
and he loves us very much! That is what we
celebrate on Easter Sunday!
LET’S PRAY:
Dear God. Thank You
that You sent Your Son, Jesus, to die for
our sins. Thank You that He arose from
the dead and is now living; and because
He lives, we can have eternal life. We
praise you! Jesus has risen -- just as he
said he would! Amen.
Can you find this story in the Bible?
Matthew 28:1 - 10
Mark 16:1 - 7
Luke 24:1 - 12
John 20:1 - 18
He is not here! He has risen!
Can you find you way to the empty tomb?
Easter is Really for Jesus
Easter is not just for the bunny,
With goodies and treats that he brings.
Easter is when the church celebrates
And alleluia is the song that we sing!
Easter is really for Jesus,
Who died and then rose from the dead.
We must always remember the love Jesus
showed
And all of the things that He said.
So, remember this Easter when you go to
Church,
And this message you tell everyone.
That Easter is all about Jesus
And the bunny and treats are just fun!
The Olive Branch
To the members of Olive Branch Christian Church,
I hope you enjoy my poem “Guilty.” It is a modern twist to the miracle that is Easter. Many
blessings to all….Doris.
The Olive Branch
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Organization
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The Olive Branch
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Williamsburg, VA 23188
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